Improvement in relief-valves for steam-engine cylinders



R. COL B URN.

Improvement in Relief-Valves for Steam-E 'n'e Cylinders.

N0.-126,023. Fi i, Pate April 23,1872.

T O FICE.

RICHARD COLBURN, OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN RELIEF-VALVES FOR STEAM-ENGINE CYLINDERS- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,023, dated April 23, 1872.

To all persons to whom these presents may come:

Be it known that I, RICHARD COLBU'RN, of Norwich, of the county of New London, of the State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful or Improved Steam-Engine Cylinder Relief-Cock or Apparatus; and do hereby declare the same to be fully described in the following specification and represented in the accompanying drawing, of which Figure l is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a top view of it. Fig. 4 is atop view of the disk of the presser, to be hereinafter described.

The apparatus is intended to be screwed into or to be otherwise properly affixed to the head of the cylinder of a steam-engine, to enable water that may accumulate in the cylinder at any time to be discharged therefrom.

In the drawing, A denotes a straight tube, provided with the base portion a of a conical valve-case, B, all being cast in one piece. The main part b of the valve-case rests directly upon the base portion a, and is held in contact therewith by a coupling-nut, C, secured upon the base portion, and encompassing the part b, and bearing against a shoulder, 0, thereof, all being as shown. Concentric with and within the base portion a is a tubular standard, D, opening into the bore of the-tube A, and provided at top with a shoulder, d. There is arranged on the standard the presser E, composed of a disk, 0, and a helical spring, f, the disk having a hole, g, made through it in order that the steam may flow freely through the disk. The disk rests against the lower edge of a chambered conical valve, F, arranged within, and made to fit the conical case B, the stem g of the valve being projected through the neck h of the valve-case, and provided with an arm, '5, which is extended from the stem at a right angle to it, and is a handle by which the valve may be revolved, the extent of the movement being limited by shoulders k 1, ar-

ranged as shown in Fig. 1. There is an educt or hole, n, formed in one side of the valve, and there is also another such hole, on, made in the valve; but when the valve isturned so as to close its hole the valve will be closed. The presser serves to keep the valve up to its seat at such times as the valve may be relieved from the pressure of steam.

Under ordinary circumstances the steam from the engine-cylinder acts directly against the conical valve to force it to its seat, and, as a consequence, to cause it to wear tighter rather than looser. Were it not for the presser the valve, when not under steam pressure, would be liableto become loose on its seat, so as to allow dirt or dust to get between the rubbing surfaces of the two to the injury thereof.

The induction-tube A is extended in opposite directions beyond the base portion of the valve-case, and is provided at one end with a prismatic head, a, and a stop-screw, 0, the latter being screwed into the tube so as to close it at its outer end. Usually the tube at and from its other end has a screw cut in it to enable it to be screwed into a cylinder-head. By removing the stop-screw at any time from the tube, access may be had to the bore of the latter in order to cleanse it of any deposits.

The object of the hollow conical valve is to prevent mineral or other deposits from choking the valve or getting between it and its seat, and also to cause the valve, while in use, to preserve its fit to its seat.

I claim- The induction-tube A, valve-chamber base a, conical valve F, conical valve-case B, annular nut C, tubular standard D, and the presser E, all constructed, arranged, and applied together substantially in manner and to operate as described, the tube A being stopped at its outer end, or provided with a stop-screw, as explained.-

. RICHARD COLBUBN.

Witnesses:

B. H. EDDY. J. R. Snow, 

